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Needs Improvement

#2169 of 2,268 schools in GA

Based on limited data

Smiley Elementary School

Elementary School · Long County

1530 Ga Highway 57, Ludowici, GA 31316

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on GA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

1,286

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ludowici

#2 of 4

public schools

Georgia elementary schools

#1,263 of 1,301

In district

#2 of 4

Long County

About Smiley Elementary School

Smiley Elementary School serves 1,286 students in prekindergarten through second grade in Ludowici, Georgia. As part of the Long County school system, this large elementary school operates with 65 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1. The school currently ranks #2248 out of 2,271 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 1st percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 1.5 out of 10.

This indicates significant room for academic growth as the school works to support its young learners during these crucial early elementary years. Smiley Elementary focuses exclusively on the foundational years of education, serving students from prekindergarten through second grade. During these formative years, students develop essential literacy and numeracy skills that will support their future academic journey.

The school serves families in the 31316 area, where the median household income is $59,841 and median home value is $169,800. About 11% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 15.1% of families live below the poverty line. The local ZIP code population totals 12,726 residents.

Smiley Elementary is situated in rural Ludowici on Georgia Highway 57, providing education to families in Long County's close-knit rural community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Smiley Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on GA state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,423

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Smiley Elementary School Compares

See how Smiley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
4th percentile in GA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

Location

1530 Ga Highway 57, Ludowici, GA 31316

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smiley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Taylors Creek Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Hinesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Frank Long Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Hinesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jesup Elementary School (rated 5.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Jesup), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ludowici, see our Ludowici schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Long County High School Ludowici 0.3 mi 6.9
FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ludowici 1.5 mi 7.2
McClelland Elementary School Ludowici 2.7 mi 3.3
Long County Middle School Ludowici 2.7 mi 2.7
GODS HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hinesville 8.4 mi 7.8
Taylors Creek Elementary School Hinesville 9.3 mi 8.2
Waldo Pafford Elementary School Hinesville 9.8 mi 4.1
Lyman Hall Elementary School Hinesville 9.8 mi 5.2
Martha Rawls Smith Elementary School Jesup 9.8 mi 5.0
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SCHOOL Jesup 10.9 mi
Lewis Frasier Middle School Hinesville 11.3 mi 3.2
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 11.2 mi 5.8
Frank Long Elementary School Hinesville 11.4 mi 6.6
Arthur Williams Middle School Jesup 11.5 mi 7.9
Bacon Elementary School Jesup 11.5 mi 5.4
Bradwell Institute Hinesville 13.0 mi 4.6
Martha Puckett Middle School Jesup 12.1 mi 7.5
Wayne County High School Jesup 12.3 mi 5.9
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hinesville 13.4 mi 7.1
Button Gwinnett Elementary School Hinesville 13.6 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 31316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,006

Median Home Value

$206,500

Median Rent

$989/mo

Population

13,421

College Educated

11.8%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

14.2%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smiley Elementary School has a median household income of $68,006. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,500, with a median rent of $989/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Allgood Elementary School Dallas, GA 3.8
Stripling Elementary School Norcross, GA 3.8
Chestatee Elementary Gainesville, GA 3.7
Leroy Massey Elementary School Summerville, GA 3.7
Ola Elementary School Mcdonough, GA 3.7
Alford Elementary Lawrenceville, GA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smiley Elementary School

What grades does Smiley Elementary School serve?

Smiley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend Smiley Elementary School?

Smiley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 1,286 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smiley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Smiley Elementary School is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smiley Elementary School rank in GA?

Smiley Elementary School is ranked #2169 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Smiley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Smiley Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Smiley Elementary School a charter school?

No, Smiley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smiley Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Smiley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smiley Elementary School?

73.6% of students at Smiley Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
1,286
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Long County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Long County
District Enrollment
4,572
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,699
District Rank
#2 of 4

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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